"Despite Strikes, Israelis Vow to Soldier On"
A11, Wednesday 12/31/08
By Isabel Kershner
In this constructive article, the NYT reports on the suffering of Israeli civilians amidst the conflict and their desire to continue the fight until Hamas' rockets no longer pose a threat to them or their loved ones. Kershner positively notes that Hamas rockets are being launched farther than ever, placing even more Israeli civilians into mortal danger.
The piece also significantly mentions that Israeli defensive preparations - shelters, warning sirens, the closing of schools - have been key in avoiding a much higher civilian death tool. In comparison, Hamas purposefully places its civilian population into danger in order to cynically exploit their deaths for political gain.
Nevertheless, Kershner either does not understand or cannot properly communicate why the general Israeli populace is so staunch in its continued support of the military against Hamas. She quotes Israelis as saying "Of course we support it. Do we have a choice?" and "Has not the time come to use full force and all the means at our disposal?" Kershner presents the 'what' (Israeli support) but not the 'why.'
Why? Israeli civilians do not want to live under the shadow of a Hamas rocket threat. As an aggressive terrorist force, Hamas vows to destroy Israel and purposefully targets Israeli civilians with these rockets, not the military.
While it is positive that the NYT devoted an article to the condition and thoughts of the Israeli civilian populace, it is a shame that Kershner cannot communicate such a basic point.
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What's also disturbing is..
ReplyDeleteKershner implies that it's only Israel's operation that has given us these longer-range rockets. But these rockets were imported to be used sometime. Hamas was to use any excuse – in this case, rockets on Sderot – to get an Israeli response so Hamas can say they're responding (this time with better rockets).
The Times took the bait.